Monday, April 19, 2010

HOW TO COOK AND EAT AN ARTICHOKE aka Vegetable Lobster
























Cost on sale April, 2010 about $1.33 each (Michigan)


Preparation:

Chop off the top as shown in the picture. Remove the 1or 2 layers of outer leaves. If the stem is too long, cut it off.


Cook:

Place the whole artichokes in a large pot with a steam basket insert. Add about 2” of water and 1 clove of garlic that has been flattened (not a head of garlic), 1 whole bay leaf, and 1 tsp. of lemon juice. Cover with a lid and steam about 45 minutes. Start with high heat until it boils, then turn down to low for the remaining time.


Dip:

Mix 1 c. chicken broth, 1 Tbsp. Smart Balance margarine, and heat it until the margarine melts. Divide into small dipping dishes.


To eat:

Remove outer leaves, dip, and pull the lower soft part against your lower teeth to remove the edible portion. The edible portion becomes larger and softer as you work into the artichoke. Toward the center you will discover a fuzzy, non-edible portion called the “choke”. Remove it with a teaspoon, without digging too deep. Under the “choke” is the “heart”, the best part! Trim off the remaining stem with a knife. Quarter the choke, dip and eat the quarters. Delicious!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Soup buffet

We had family over for lunch on 12/31 and decided to have a soup buffet, plus pretzel thins with cheese spread. I think everyone liked it, except maybe the 7 year old who declares he hates soup!

Menu:
Meatball stew (left) see recipe 3/13/09 this blog
Corn chowder (right front) recipe today
Bean soup (right back) recipe today

Just the thing for a cold winter day. Enjoy! Eat hardy!

Corn Chowder

Quick and easy

This is one of my all time favorites. My friend Pat requests this one for lunches.

Makes 3 good sized (main meal) servings

Ingredients:
1 can corn, undrained
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 can sliced potatoes or slice, cook, & drain a 6 oz potato
1/3 c. water
2 chicken bullion cubes
1 3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. margarine or butter
1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp. flour

In a large soup pan, saute onion in the margarine. Add the potatoes, corn (undrained) , water, & bullion cubes. Stir in 1 1/2 c. of the milk, and heat thoroughly. Combine the remaining milk with flour, mix well (our old Tupperware shaker works great). Add to the chowder. Cook and stir until bubbly and thickened.

Bean Soup (using Randall's beans)

Quick and easy. Randall's beans come in a big glass jar, about 48 oz.

Picture is a full batch in a 3 1/2 qt pan. For the 2 of us,
Michael often makes up a half batch.

Ingredients:
1 - 48 oz. can Randall's brand mixed beans or northern beans
2 onions, chopped, sauteed in 2 capful wine (or in 2 tsp. oil)
6 c. water
2 tsp. "Liquid Smoke"
1 or 2 bay leaf
Sprinkle of garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pan (at least 3 1/2 quart pan for the full batch), saute the onion, then add all the other ingredients. Cook to desired consistency, approximately 25 minutes, with lid on, vented.